Chemical compounds

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (1): wherein R v , R 1 , R 2 , R x , R y , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R z  and v are as defined within; pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates or such salts and prodrugs thereof and their use as ileal bile acid transport (IBAT) inhibitors for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia. Processes for their manufacture and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.

This invention relates to benzothiadiazepine derivatives, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts and prodrugs thereof. These benzothiadiazepines possess ileal bile acid transport (IBAT) inhibitory activity and accordingly have value in the treatment of disease states associated with hyperlipidaemic conditions and they are useful in methods of treatment of a warm-blooded animal, such as man. The invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of said benzothiadiazepine derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in the manufacture of medicaments to inhibit IBAT in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

It is well-known that hyperlipidaemic conditions associated with elevated concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are major risk factors for cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease (for instance “Coronary Heart Disease: Reducing the Risk; a Worldwide View” Assman G., Carmena R. Cullen P. et al; Circulation 1999, 100, 1930-1938 and “Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association” Grundy S, Benjamin L., Burke G., et al; Circulation, 1999, 100, 1134-46). Interfering with the circulation of bile acids within the lumen of the intestinal tracts is found to reduce the level of cholesterol. Previous established therapies to reduce the concentration of cholesterol involve, for instance, treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, preferably statins such as simvastatin and fluvastatin, or treatment with bile acid binders, such as resins. Frequently used bile acid binders are for instance cholestyramine and cholestipol. One recently proposed therapy (“Bile Acids and Lipoprotein Metabolism: a Renaissance for Bile Acids in the Post Statin Era” Angelin B, Eriksson M, Rudling M; Current Opinion on Lipidology, 1999, 10, 269-74) involved the treatment with substances with an IBAT inhibitory effect.

Re-absorption of bile acid from the gastro-intestinal tract is a normal physiological process which mainly takes place in the ileum by the IBAT mechanism. Inhibitors of IBAT can be used in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia (see for instance “Interaction of bile acids and cholesterol with nonsystemic agents having hypocholesterolaemic properties”, Biochemica et Biophysica Acta, 1210 (1994) 255-287). Thus, suitable compounds having such inhibitory IBAT activity are also useful in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions. Compounds possessing such IBAT inhibitory activity have been described, see for instance the compounds described in WO 93/16055, WO 94/18183, WO 94/18184, WO 96/05188, WO 96/08484, WO 96/16051, WO 97/33882, WO 98/38182, WO 99135135, WO 98/40375, WO 99/35153, WO 99/64409, WO 99164410, WO 00/01687, WO 00/47568, WO 00161568,. WO 01168906, DE 19825804, WO 00138725, WO 00/38726, WO 00/38727, WO 00/38728, WO 00/38729, WO 01168906 and EP 0 864 582.

A further aspect of this invention relates to the use of the compounds of the invention in the treatment of dyslipidemic conditions and disorders such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertrigliceridemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia (high LDL), hyperprebetalipoproteinemia (high VLDL), hyperchylomicronemia, hypolipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia (low HDL). In addition, these compounds are expected to be useful for the prevention and treatment of different clinical conditions such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, hyper-thrombotic conditions, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, heart failure, coronary heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular diseases, inflammation of cardiovascular tissues such as heart, valves, vasculature, arteries and veins, aneurisms, stenosis, restenosis, vascular plaques, vascular fatty streaks, leukocytes, monocytes and/or macrophage infiltration, intimal thickening, medial thinning, infectious and surgical trauma and vascular thrombosis, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks.

The present invention is based on the discovery that certain benzothiadiazepine compounds surprisingly inhibit IBAT. Such properties are expected to be of value in the treatment of disease states associated with hyperlipidaemic conditions.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   One of R¹ and R² are selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and the         other is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are independently selected from hydrogen,         hydroxy, amino, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy,         N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkly)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0to2;     -   R² is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy,         carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl,         C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl₂ sulphamoyl;     -   v is 0-5;     -   one of R⁴ and R⁵ is a group of formula (IA):     -   R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected         from hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy,         carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl,         C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkly)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl,         N—(C₁₋₄alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl; wherein         R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ may be optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷;     -   X is —O—, —N(R^(a))—, —S(O)_(b)— or —CH(R^(a))—; wherein R¹ is         hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and is 0-2;     -   Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; wherein Ring A is optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from         R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein         R⁷ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R¹⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R²⁰;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆-alkyl;     -   R¹⁰ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl         mercapto, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl,         C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino,         N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₃ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         heterocyclyl, heteroyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl-C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²¹-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-;         wherein R¹⁰ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R^(23;) and wherein if said         heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen maybe         optionally substituted by a group selected from R²⁴; or R¹⁰ is a         group of formula IB):         wherein:     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo,         carbamoyl sulphamoyl C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to         2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁵; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen maybe optionally         substituted by a group selected from R²⁶;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halo, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl,         hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkanoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to         2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl,         heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²⁷—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²⁸—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-;         wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more substituents selected from R²⁹; and wherein if said         heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be         optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a         group of formula (IC):     -   R¹⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;         wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more groups selected from R³¹; or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the         nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein         said heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted on carbon by one         or more R³⁷; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH—         group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group         selected from R³⁸;     -   n is 1-3; wherein the values of R⁷ may be the same or different;     -   R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³ , R²⁵, R²⁹, R³¹ and R³⁷ are independently         selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl,         mercapto, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl,         C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino,         N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)3ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R³²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R³³—(C₁₋₁₀₁alkylene)_(r)-;         wherein R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵, R²⁹, R³¹ and R³⁷ may be         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         R³⁴; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group,         that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected         from R³⁵;     -   R²¹, R²², R²⁷, R²⁸, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from         —O—, —NR³⁶, —(O)_(x)—, —NR³⁶C(O)NR³⁶—, —NR³⁶C(S)NR³⁶—,         —OC(O)N═C—, —NR³⁶C(O)— or —C(O)NR³⁶—; wherein R³⁶ is selected         from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl, and x is 0-2;     -   p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0-2;     -   R³⁴ is selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, carbamoyl, ureido,         amino, nitro, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, trifluoromethyl,         trifluoromethoxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, vinyl, allyl,         ethynyl, formyl, acetyl, formamido, acetylamino, acetoxy,         methylamino, dimethylamino, N-methylcarbamoyl,         N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, methylthio, methylsulphinyl, mesyl,         N-methylsulphamoyl, N,N-dimethylsulphamoyl,         N-methylsulphamoylamino and N,N-dimethylsulphamoylamino;     -   R²⁰, R²⁴, R²⁶, R³⁰, R³⁵ and R³⁸ are independently selected from         C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulphonyl,         C₁₋₆-alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₆alkylcarbamoyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, benzoyl and         phenylsulphonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate,         solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

A further aspect of the invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   One of R¹ and R² are selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and the         other is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are independently selected from hydrogen,         hydroxy, amino, mercapto, C₁₋₆-alkly, C₁₋₆alkoxy,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0 to 2;     -   R^(z) is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino,         carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl,         C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino,         C₁₋₆alkanoylamino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to         2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and         N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl;     -   v is 0-5;     -   one of R⁴ and R⁵ is a group of formula (IA):     -   R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected         from hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy,         carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl,         C₂₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl,         N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; wherein         R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ may be optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷;     -   X is —O—, —N(R^(a))—, —S(O)_(b)— or —CH(R^(a)—; wherein R^(a) is         hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and b is 0-2;     -   Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; wherein Ring A is optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from         R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein         R⁷ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R¹⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R²⁰;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkly;     -   R¹⁰ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl,         mercapto, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl,         C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy, N-(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino,         N,N,N—(C₁_10alkyl)₃ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²¹—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- of         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-;         wherein R¹⁰ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²³; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R²⁴; or R¹⁰ is a group of         formula (IB):         wherein:     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo,         carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to         2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁵; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R²⁶;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halo, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl,         hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₁₋₁₀alkenyl, C₁₋₁₀alkynyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl,         N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to         2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀, heterocyclyl,         heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²⁷—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²⁸—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-;         wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more substituents selected from R²⁹; and wherein if said         heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be         optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a         group of formula (IC):     -   R¹⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more groups selected from R³¹;     -   n is 1-3; wherein the values of R⁷ may be the same or different;     -   R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ are independently selected         from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, mercapto,         sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl,         C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino,         N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₃ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl,         C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl,         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino,         C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkly,         heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl,         carbocyclyl(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R³²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R¹³—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-;         wherein R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ may be independently         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁴; and wherein         if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may         be optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁵;     -   R²¹, R²², R²⁷, R²⁸, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from         —O—, —NR³⁶—, —S(O)_(x)—, —NR³⁶C(O)NR³⁶—, —NR³⁶C(S)NR³⁶—,         —OC(O)N═C—, —NR³⁶C(O)— or —C(O)NR³⁶—; wherein R³⁶ is selected         from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl, and x is 0-2;     -   p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0-2;     -   R³⁴ is selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, carbamoyl, ureido,         amino, nitro, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, trifluoromethyl,         trifluoromethoxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, vinyl, allyl,         ethynyl, formyl, acetyl, formamido, acetylamino, acetoxy,         methylamino, dimethylamino, N-methylcarbamoyl,         N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, methylthio, methylsulphinyl, mesyl,         N-methylsulphamoyl, N,N-dimethylsulphamoyl,         N-methylsulphamoylamino and N. N-dimethylsulphamoylamino;     -   R²⁰, R²⁴, R²⁶, R³⁰ or R³⁵ are independently selected from         C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulphonyl, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl,         carbamoyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl,         benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, benzoyl and phenylsulphonyl; or a         pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a         salt or a prodrug thereof.

In this specification the term “alkyl” includes both straight and branched chain alkyl groups but references to individual alkyl groups such as “propyl” are specific for the straight chain version only. For example, “C₁₋₆alkyl” includes C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃alkyl, propyl, isopropyl and t-butyl. However, references to individual alkyl groups such as ‘propyl’ are specific for the straight chained version only and references to individual branched chain alkyl groups such as ‘isopropyl’ are specific for the branched chain version only. A similar convention applies to other radicals, for example “phenylC₁₋₆alkyl” would include phenylC₁₋₆alkyl, benzyl, 1-phenylethyl and 2-phenylethyl. The term “halo” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

Where optional substituents are chosen from “one or more” groups it is to be understood that this definition includes all substituents being chosen from one of the specified groups or the substituents being chosen from two or more of the specified groups.

“Heteroaryl” is a totally unsaturated, mono or bicyclic ring containing 3-12 atoms of which at least one atom, particularly 1-3 atoms, are chosen from nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked. Preferably “heteroaryl” refers to a totally unsaturated, monocyclic ring containing 5 or 6 atoms or a bicyclic ring containing 9 or 10 atoms of which at least one atom is chosen from nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked. Examples and suitable values of the term n“heteroaryl” are thienyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazolyl, pyranyl, indolyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl and quinolyl. Preferably the term “heteroaryl” refers to thienyl or indolyl. “Heteroaryl” is not tetrazolyl.

“Aryl” is a totally unsaturated, mono or bicyclic carbon ring that contains 3-12 atoms. Preferably “aryl” is a monocyclic ring containing 5 or 6 atoms or a bicyclic ring containing 9 or 10 atoms. Suitable values for “aryl” include phenyl or naphthyl. Particularly “aryl” is phenyl.

A “heterocyclyl” is a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, mono or bicyclic ring containing 3-12 atoms of which at least one atom, particularly 1-3 atoms, are chosen from nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked, wherein a —CH₂— group can optionally be replaced by a —C(O)— or a ring sulphur atom may be optionally oxidised to form the S-oxides. Preferably a “heterocyclyl” is a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, mono or bicyclic ring containing 5 or 6 atoms of which at least one atom is chosen from nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked, wherein a —CH₂— group can optionally be replaced by a —C(O)— or a ring sulphur atom may be optionally oxidised to form S-oxide(s). Examples and suitable values of the term “heterocyclyl” are thiazolidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2,5-dioxopyrrolidinyl, 2-benzoxazolinonyl, 1,1-dioxotetrahydrothienyl, 2,4dioxoimidazolidinyl, 2-oxo-1,3,4(4-triazolinyl), 2-oxazolidinonyl, 5,6 dihydrouracilyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 1,2,4oxadiazolyl, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, 4thiazolidonyl, morpholino, 2oxotetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, benzothienyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperidyl, 1-oxo-1,3-dihydroisoindolyl, piperazinyl, thiomorpholino, 1,1-dioxothiomorpholino, tetrahydropyranyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, homopiperazinyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,4triazolyl, 1,3,4triazolyl, pyranyl, indolyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, 4pyridonyl, quinolyl and 1-isoquinolonyl. “Heterocyclyl” is not tetrazolyl.

A “carbocyclyl” is a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, mono or bicyclic carbon ring that contains 3-12 atoms; wherein a —CH₂— group can optionally be replaced by a —C(O)—. Preferably “carbocyclyl” is a monocyclic ring containing 5 or 6 atoms or a bicyclic ring containing 9 or 10 atoms. Suitable values for “carbocyclyl” include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, 1-oxocyclopentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, tetralinyl, indanyl or 1-oxoindanyl. Particularly “carbocyclyl” is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, 1-oxocyclopentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, phenyl or 1-oxoindanyl.

An example of “C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy” and “C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy” is acetoxy. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonyl” and “C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl” include methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- and t-butoxycarbonyl. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkoxy” and “C₁₋₆alkoxy” include methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino” and “C₁₋₆alkanoylamino” include formamido, acetamido and propionylamino. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2” and “C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2” include methylthio, ethylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, mesyl and ethylsulphonyl. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl” and “C₁₋₆alkanoyl” include C₁₋₃alkanoyl, propionyl and acetyl. Examples of “N-C₁₋₁₀alkylamino” and “N—C₁₋₆alkylamino” include methylamino and ethylamino. Examples of “N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino” and “N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino” include di-N-methylamino, di-(N-ethyl)amino and N-ethyl-N-methylamino. Examples of “C₂₋₁₀alkenyl” and “C₂₋₆alkenyl” are vinyl, allyl and 1-propenyl. Examples of “C₂₋₁₀alkyl” and “C₂₋₆alkynyl” are ethynyl, 1-propynyl and 2-propynyl. Examples of “N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl” and “N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl” are N—(C₁₋₃alkyl)sulphamoyl, N(methyl)sulphamoyl and N-ethyl)sulphamoyl. Examples of “N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl” and “N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl” are N,N-(dimethyl)sulphamoyl and N-(methyl)N-(ethyl)sulphamoyl. Examples of “N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl” and “N-(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl”: are methylaminocarbonyl and ethylaminocarbonyl. Examples of “N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl” and “N,N—(C₁₋₆alkylcarbamoyl” are dimethylaminocarbonyl and methylethylaminocarbonyl. Example of “C₁₋₁₀alkylsulphonyl” and “C₁₋₆-alkylsulphonyl” are mesyl and ethylsulphonyl. Examples of “N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₃ammonio” and “N,N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₃ammonio” are trimethylamino and methyldiethylamino. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino” and “C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonylamino” are methoxycarbonylamino and t-butoxycarbonylamino. Examples of “N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino” and “N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoylamino” are N-methylsulphamoylamino and N-ethylsulphamoylamino. Examples of “N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino” and “N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)2sulphamoylamino” are N,N-dimethylsulphamoylamino and N-methyl-N-ethylsulphamoylamino. Examples of “C₁₋₁₀alkylthio” and “C₁₋₆alkylthio” are methylthio and ethylthio. Examples of “carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl” include benzyl and phenethyl. Examples of “heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl” include morphoinopropyl and pyridylmethyl.

A suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of the invention is, for example, an acid-addition salt of a compound of the invention which is sufficiently basic, for example, an acid-addition salt with, for example, an inorganic or organic acid, for example hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, phosphoric, trifluoroacetic, citric, acetate or maleic acid. In addition a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of the invention which is sufficiently acidic is an alkali metal salt, for example a sodium or potassium salt, an alkaline earth metal salt, for example a calcium or magnesium salt, an ammonium salt or a salt with an organic base which affords a physiologically-acceptable cation, for example a salt with methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, piperidine, morpholine or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine.

The compounds of the formula (I) may be administered in the form of a pro-drug which is broken down in the human or animal body to give a compound of the formula (I). examples of pro-rugs include in vivo hydrolysable esters and in vivo hydrolysable amides of a compound of the formula (I).

An in vivo hydrolysable ester of a compound of the formula (I) containing carboxy or hydroxy group is, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable ester which is hydrolysed in the human or animal body to produce the parent acid or alcohol. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable esters for carboxy include C₁₋₆alkoxymethyl esters for example methoxymethyl, C₁₋₆al-alkanoyloxymethyl esters for example pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidyl esters, C₃₋₈cycloalkoxycarbonyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl esters for example 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl; 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters for example 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolen-2onylmethyl; and C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters for example 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl and may be formed at any carboxy group in the compounds of this invention.

An in viva hydrolysable ester of a compound of the formula (I) containing a hydroxy group includes inorganic esters such as phosphate esters and α-acyloxyalkyl ethers and related compounds which as a result of the in vivo hydrolysis of the ester breakdown to give the parent hydroxy group. Examples of α-acyloxyalkyl ethers include acetoxymethoxy and 2,2-dimethylpropionyloxy-methoxy. A selection of in vivo hydrolysable ester forming groups for hydroxy include alkanoyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl and substituted benzoyl and phenylacetyl, alkoxycarbonyl (to give alkyl carbonate esters), dialkylcarbamoyl and N-(dialkylaminoethyl)N-alkylcarbamoyl (to give carbamates), dialkylaminoacetyl and carboxyacetyl. Examples of substituents on benzoyl include morpholino and piperazino linked from a ring nitrogen atom via a methylene group to the 3- or 4-position of the benzoyl ring.

A suitable value for an in vivo hydrolysable amide of a compound of the formula (I) containing a carboxy group is, for example, a N-C₁₋₆alkyl or N,N-di-C₁₋₆alkyl amide such as NV-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N,N-dimethyl, N-ethyl-N-methyl or N,N-ethyl amide.

Some compounds of the formula (I) may have chiral centres and/or geometric isomeric centres (E- and Z-isomers), and it is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such optical, diastereoisomers and geometric isomers that possess IBAT inhibitory activity.

The invention relates to any and all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the formula (I) that possess IBAT inhibitory activity.

It is also to be understood that certain compounds of the formula (I) can exist in solvated as well as unsolvated forms such as, for example, hydrated forms. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such solvated forms which possess IBAT inhibitory activity.

Particular values are as follows. Such values may be used where appropriate with any of the definitions, claims or embodiments defined hereinbefore or hereinafter.

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen.     -   R¹ and R² are both C₁₋₆alkyl.     -   R¹ and R² are both C₁₋₄alkyl.     -   One of R¹ and R² is ethyl and the other is butyl.     -   R¹ and R² are both butyl.     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen.     -   R^(z) is C₁₋₄alkyl.     -   v is 0-2.     -   v is 0.     -   R⁴ is a group of formula (IA).     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA).     -   R³ and R⁶ are hydrogen.     -   R⁴ is halo.     -   R⁴ is bromo or chloro.     -   R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkoxy.     -   R⁴ is ethoxy or methoxy.     -   R⁴ is methoxy.     -   R⁴ is ethylthio or methylthio.     -   R⁴ is methylthio.     -   R⁵ is methylthio.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is C₁₋₄alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is methylthio.     -   X is 13 O—.     -   Ring A is aryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸; wherein         R¹⁸ is hydroxy.     -   Ring A is phenyl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸; wherein         R¹⁸ is hydroxy.     -   Ring A is phenyl or 4hydroxyphenyl.     -   R⁷ is hydrogen.     -   R⁸ is hydrogen.     -   R⁹ is hydrogen.     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB).     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen.     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or         C₁₋₁₀alkyl.     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or         C₁₋₄alkyl.     -   R¹² and R¹³ as independently selected from hydrogen or methyl.     -   R¹² and R¹³ are both hydrogen or one of R¹² and R¹³ is hydrogen         and the other is methyl.     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl or carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl;         wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more substituents selected from R²⁹; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy.     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl and         heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from         R²; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy; or R¹⁴ is a group of formula (IC)         (as depicted above).     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or phenylC₁₋₄alkyl; wherein R¹⁴         may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy.     -   R¹⁴ is selected from pentyl, benzyl and tetrahydropyran; wherein         R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy; or R¹⁴         is a group of formula (IC) (as depicted above).     -   R¹⁴ is selected from pentyl or benzyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents         selected from R²⁹; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy.     -   R¹⁴ is selected from 1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentyl or         3,4-dihydroxybenzyl.     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein said heterocyclyl may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷; wherein R³⁷         is N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl; optionally substituted on carbon by         one or more R³⁴; wherein R³⁴ is carbamoyl.     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form pyrrolidinyl; wherein said pyrrolidinyl may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷; R³⁷ is         N-methylcarbamoyl; optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more R³⁴; wherein R³⁴ is carbamoyl.     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form 2(N-(carbamoylmethyl)carbamoylpyrrolidin-1-yl.     -   n is 1.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) as depicted above wherein:     -   X is —O—;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   Ring A is aryl;     -   R¹⁰ is carbamoyl or N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl or a group of         formula (IB) (as depicted above) wherein R¹⁰ is optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from         R²³ and wherein:     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, carbamoyl         or C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be independently         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents         selected from R²⁵;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from carbamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl,         heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl or         carbocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkylene)_(p)-R²⁷—(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(q)-; wherein         R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a group of         formula (IC) (as depicted above) wherein:     -   R¹⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R¹⁶ is C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more groups selected from R³¹;     -   n is 1;     -   R²³ is hydroxy;     -   R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ are independently selected from halo, hydroxy,         amino, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, N,N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₃ammonio,         N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonylamino,         carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(p)-R³²—(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-C₁₋₆alkylene)_(r)-R³³—(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(s)-; wherein         R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ may be independently optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more R³⁴; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R³⁵;     -   R²⁷, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from —O—,         —NR³⁶C(O)NR³⁶—, —OC(O)N═C—or —NR³⁶C(O)—; wherein R²³ is         hydrogen;     -   p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0 or 1;     -   R³⁴ is selected from hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl or         methoxy;     -   R³⁰ or R³⁵ are independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or         C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) as depicted above wherein:     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is aryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above):     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or         C₁₋₁₀alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl and         heterocyclyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R^(29;) or R¹⁴         is a group of formula (IC) (as depicted above);     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein said heterocyclyl may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷;     -   n is 1;     -   R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from hydroxy and         N—(C₁₋₁₀-alkyl)carbamoyl; wherein R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ may be         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         R³⁴; and     -   R³⁴ is carbamoyl.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) as depicted above wherein:     -   X is —O—;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   Ring A is phenyl;     -   R¹⁰ is carbamoyl or a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above)         wherein:     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, carbamoyl         or C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be independently         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents         selected from R²⁵;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from carbamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,         carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(p)-R²⁷—(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(q)-; wherein         R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a group of         formula (IC) (as depicted above) wherein:     -   R¹⁵ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁶ is C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more groups selected from R³¹;     -   n is 1;     -   R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ are independently selected from halo, hydroxy,         amino, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, N,N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₃ammonio,         N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonylamino,         carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl,         carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(p)-R³²—C₁₋₆alkylene)_(q)- or         heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(r)-R³³—(C₁₋₆alkylene)_(s)-; wherein         R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ may be independently optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more R³⁴; and wherein if said heterocyclyl         contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally         substituted by a group selected from R³⁵;     -   R²⁷, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from —O—,         —NR³⁶C(O)NR³⁶—, —OC(O)N═C—or —NR³⁶C(O)—; wherein R²³ is         hydrogen;     -   p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0 or 1;     -   R³⁴ is selected from hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl or         methoxy;     -   R³⁰ or R³⁵ are independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or         C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl.     -   R⁵is a group of formula (IA) as depicted above wherein:     -   X is —O—;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is carbamoyl or a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above)         wherein:     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, carbamoyl         or methyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be independently optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from         R²⁵;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from carbamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, methyl,         ethyl, propyl, phenyl, 1,5-benzodioxepinyl,         2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, piperidinyl, anilinocarbonyl or         anilinocarbonyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²⁹; and         wherein said piperidinyl may be optionally substituted on         nitrogen by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a group of         formula (IC) (as depicted above) wherein:     -   R¹⁵ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁶ is methyl, ethyl or hexyl; wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more groups selected from R³¹;     -   n is 1;     -   R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ are independently selected from fluoro, hydroxy,         amino, sulphamoyl, methoxy, N,N,N-trimethylamino,         N,N-dimethylsulphamoylamino, t-butoxycarbonylamino, phenyl,         morpholino, imidazolyl, indolyl, 2,4thiazolidinedionyl,         piperazinyl, 2-imidazolidinonyl, phenoxy,         benxyloxycarbonyliminomethyl, N′-pyridinylureido or         N-pyrimidinylureido; wherein R²⁵, R²⁹ or R³¹ may be         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         R³⁴; and wherein said imidazolyl, indolyl, piperazinyl or         2-imidazolidinonyl may be optionally substituted on nitrogen by         a group selected from R³⁵;     -   R²⁷, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from —O—, —NHC(O)NH—,         —OC(O)N═C— or —NHC(O)—;     -   p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0 or 1;     -   R³⁴ is selected from hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl or         methoxy;     -   R³⁰ or R³⁵ are independently selected from methyl or         C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl.     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) as depicted above wherein:     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is phenyl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R¹ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above):     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or methyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from pentyl, benzyl and tetrahydropyran; wherein         R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; or R¹⁴ is a group of formula         (IC) (as depicted above);     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form pyrrolidinyl; wherein said pyrrolidinyl may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷;     -   n is 1;     -   R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from hydroxy and         N-methylcarbamoyl; wherein R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ may be independently         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁴; and     -   R³⁴ is carbamoyl.     -   R⁵ is selected from:         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-hydroxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-trimethylaminoethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(carbamoylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′—((S)-1-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-carbamoylbenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(1,1-di-hydroxymethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(hydroxycarbamoylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)             carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(2-(S)-3(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(2-fluoroethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(ethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)             carbamoylmethoxy,         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(2-methoxyethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-(N-(4-sulphamoylphenethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)             carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[N-(2-N,N-dimethylaminosulphamoylethyl)carbamoylmethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—[(R)-α-(N′-(N-[2-(N′-pyrimidin-2-ylreido)ethyl]carbamoylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy;         -   (N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-3-morpholinopropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2-imidazol-4-ylethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-═-[N′-(2-N,N-dimethylaminosulphamoylethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(3-hydroxy-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-3-t-butoxycarbonylaminobenzyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-(3-(benxyloxycarbonylimino-1-aminomethyl)benzyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)             carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-2-methoxyethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)             carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(5-methoxyindol-3-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(2,5-dioxothiazolidin-1-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[3-(-methylpiperazin-1-yl)propyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(4sulphamoylphenethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(5,6             dimethoxy-2,3-dihydobenzofuran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(1-t-butoxycarbonylpiperidin-4ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(4-nitroanilinocarbonylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(N′-pyrimidin-2-ylreido)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(N′-pyridin-2-ylreido)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2(4-carbamoylphenoxy)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N′-[2-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;             and         -   N—{(R)-α-[N′-(3-aminobenzyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy.     -   R⁵ is selected from         -   N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R))-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)4(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—[(R)-α-(N-{2-(S)[N-(carbamoylmethyl)             carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy,         -   N—((R)-α-{N-[2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;             and         -   N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(R)-3-(S)4(S)-5-R)-3,4,5,6tetrahydroxytetrahyropyran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy.

Therefore in a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen;     -   R¹ and R² are both C₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen;     -   v is 0;         -   R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen;     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0;     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is aryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸; wherein         R¹⁸ is hydroxy;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB);     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or         C₁₋₁₀alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl or carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl;         wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or         more substituents selected from R²⁹; wherein R²⁹ is hydroxy, or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a         salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen;     -   R¹ and R² are both C₁₋₆allyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen;     -   v is 0;     -   R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen;     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a)         wherein a is 0;     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is aryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above):     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or         C₁₋₁₀alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl and         heterocyclyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²⁹; or R¹⁴ is         a group of formula (IC) (as depicted above);     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein said heterocyclyl may be         optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷;     -   n is 1;     -   R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from hydroxy and         N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl; wherein R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ maybe         independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         R³⁴; and     -   R³⁴ is carbamoyl;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such         a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen;     -   R¹ and R² are both butyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen;:     -   v is 0;     -   R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen;     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is methylthio;     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is phenyl or 4-hydroxyphenyl;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB);

R¹¹ is hydrogen;

-   -   R¹² and R¹³ are both hydrogen or one of R¹² and R¹³ is hydrogen         and the other is methyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from 1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentyl or         3,4dihydroxybenzyl;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such         a salt or a prig thereof.

Therefore in another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen;     -   R¹ and R² are both butyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen;     -   v is 0;     -   R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen;     -   R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) and R⁴ is methylthio;     -   X is —O—;     -   Ring A is phenyl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸;     -   R⁷ is hydrogen;     -   R⁸ is hydrogen;     -   R⁹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above):     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen;     -   R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or methyl;     -   R¹⁴ is selected from pentyl, benzyl and tetrahydropyran; wherein         R¹⁴ May be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more         substituents selected from R²⁹; or R¹⁴ is a group of formula         (IC) (as depicted above);     -   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached form pyrrolidinyl;         wherein said pyrrolidinyl may be optionally substituted on         carbon by one or more R³⁷;     -   n is 1;     -   R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from hydroxy and         N-methylcarbamoyl;         wherein R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ may be independently optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁴; and     -   R³⁴ is carbamoyl;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such         a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein:

-   -   R^(v) is selected from hydrogen;     -   R¹ and R² are both butyl;     -   R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen;     -   v is 0;     -   R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen;     -   R⁴ is methylthio; and     -   R⁵ is selected from:         -   N—{(R)-α-]N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—{(R)-α-]N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4             -hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R/S)-α-{N-]1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—[(R)-α-(N-{2-(S)—[N-(carbamoylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy;         -   N—((R)-α-{N-[2-3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy;             and         -   N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(R)-3-(S)-4(S)-5-(R)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxytetrahydropyran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy;             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of             such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

In another aspect of the invention, preferred compounds of the invention are any one of the examples or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Preferred aspects of the invention are those which relate to the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof which process (wherein variable groups are, unless otherwise specified, as defined in formula (I)) comprises of:

-   -   Process 1): for compounds of formula (I) wherein X is         —O—,—NR^(a) or —S—; reacting a compound of formula (IIa) or         (IIb):         with a compound of formula (III):         wherein L is a displaceable group;     -   Process 2): reacting an acid of formula (IVa) or (IVb):         or an activated derivative thereof, with an amine of formula         (V):     -   Process 3): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹⁰ is a group         of formula (IB); reacting a compound of formula (VIa):         or (VIb):         with an amine of formula (VII):     -   Process 4) for compounds of formula (I) wherein one of R⁴ and R⁵         are independently selected from C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally         substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷; reacting a compound of         formula (VIIIa) or (VIIIb):         wherein L is a displaceable group; with a thiol of formula (IX):         R^(m)—H   (IX)         wherein R^(m) is C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted on carbon         by one or more R¹⁷; or     -   Process 5): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹⁴ is a group         of formula (IC); reacting a compound of formula (Xa):         or (Xb):         with an amine of formula (XI):         and thereafter if necessary or desirable:     -   i) converting a compound of the formula (I) into another         compound of the formula (I); and/or     -   ii) removing any protecting groups; and/or     -   iii) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate,         solvate of such a salt or a prodrug.

L is a displaceable group, suitable values for L are for example, a halogeno or sulphonyloxy group, for example a chloro, bromo, methanesulphonyloxy or toluene-4sulphonyloxy group.

Specific reaction conditions for the above reactions are as follows.

The bicyclic ring systems of the present invention may be assembled according the following scheme. The skilled person will appreciate to make any of the above identified intermediates the value of R⁴ or R⁵ in the following schemes would be replaced with the appropriate group. For example, to synthesis a compound of formula (IIa) R⁴ would be HX in the following scheme.

FGI is functional interconversion of the Br into other values of R⁴ using procedures known to the skilled person.

Compounds of formula (A) and (D) are commercially available, or they are known in the literature, or they may be prepared by standard processes known in the art

-   -   Process 1): Compounds of formula (IIa) or (IIb) may be reacted         with compounds of formula (III) in the presence of a base for         example an inorganic base such as sodium carbonate, or an         organic base such as Hunigs base, in the presence of a suitable         solvent such as acetonitrile, dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran         at a temperature in the range of 0° C. to reflux, preferably at         or near reflux.

Compounds of formula (III) are commercially available compounds, or they are known in the literature, or they are prepared by standard processes known in the art Process 2) process 3) and Process 5): Acids and amines may be coupled together in the presence of a suitable coupling reagent. Standard peptide coupling reagents known in the art can be employed as suitable coupling reagents, or for example carbonyldiimidazole and dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, optionally in the presence of a catalyst such as dimethylaminopyridine or 4pyrrolidinopyridine, optionally in the presence of a base for example triethylamine, pyridine, or 2,6di-alkyl-pyridines such as 2,6-lutidine or 2,6di-tert-butylpyridine. Suitable solvents include dimethylacetamide, dichloromethane, benzene, tetrahydrofuran and dimethylformamide. The coupling reaction may conveniently be performed at a temperature in the range of −40 to 40° C.

Suitable activated acid derivatives include acid halides, for example acid chlorides, and active esters, for example pentafluorophenyl esters. The reaction of these types of compounds with amines is well known in the art, for example they may be reacted in the presence of a base, such as those described above, and in a suitable solvent, such as those described above. The reaction may conveniently be performed at a temperature in the range of −40 to 40° C.

Compounds of formula (IVa) or (IVb) wherein X═—O—,—NR^(a),—S— may be prepared according to Scheme 2:

Wherein L in (VIIa) and (VIIb) is a displaceable group e.g. bromo, chloro, fluoro, mesyl or tosyl and wherein X is —O—,—S—, NR^(a) (optionally for —SO— and —SO₂— followed by the oxidation step of Process 1).

Compounds of formula (IVa) and (IVb) where X is —SO— or —SO₂— may be prepared by oxidising the resulting compounds of formula (IVa) and (IVb) from Scheme 2 where X is —S—.

Compounds of formula (Va) or (Vb) wherein X is —CH₂— may be prepared according to Scheme 3.

-   -   Process 4): Compounds of formula (VIIIa) and (VIIIb) may be         reacted with thiols of formula (VIII) in the presence of base,         for example an inorganic base such as sodium carbonate or an         organic base such as Hunigs base, in the presence of a suitable         solvent such as DMF or THF at a temperature in the range of         0° C. to reflux.

Compounds of formula (VIIIa) and (VIIIb) may be prepared by any of the procedures above for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), but wherein one of R⁴ and R⁵ is L.

Other starting materials are commercially available compounds, or they are known in the literature, or they are prepared by standard processes known in the art.

It will be appreciated that certain of the various ring substituents in the compounds of the present invention may be introduced by standard aromatic substitution reactions or generated by conventional functional group modifications either prior to or immediately following the processes mentioned above, and as such are included in the process aspect of the invention. Such reactions and modifications include, for example, introduction of a substituent by means of an aromatic substitution reaction, reduction of substituents, alkylation of substituents and oxidation of substituents. The reagents and reaction conditions for such procedures are well known in the chemical art. Particular examples of aromatic substitution reactions include the introduction of a nitro group using concentrated nitric acid, the introduction of an acyl group using, for example, an acyl halide and Lewis acid (such as aluminium trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; the introduction of an alkyl group using an alkyl halide and Lewis acid (such as aluminium trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; and the introduction of a halogeno group. Particular examples of modifications include the reduction of a nitro group to an amino group by for example, catalytic hydrogenation with a nickel catalyst or treatment with iron in the presence of hydrochloric acid with heating; oxidation of alkylthio to alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl.

It will also be appreciated that in some of the reactions mentioned herein it may be necessary/desirable to protect any sensitive groups in the compounds. The instances where protection is necessary or desirable and suitable methods for protection are known to those skilled in the art. Conventional protecting groups may be used in accordance with standard practice (for illustration see T. W. Green, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, 1999). Thus, if reactants include groups such as amino, carboxy or hydroxy it may be desirable to protect the group in some of the reactions mentioned herein.

A suitable protecting group for an amino or alkylamino group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an alkoxycarbonyl group, for example a methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or t-butoxycarbonyl group, an arylmethoxycarbonyl group, for example benzyloxycarbonyl, or an aroyl group, for example benzoyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group or an aroyl group may be removed for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an acyl group such as a t-butoxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by treatment with a suitable acid as hydrochloric, sulphuric or phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid and an arylmethoxycarbonyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon, or by treatment with a Lewis acid for example boron t&s(trifluoroacetate). A suitable alternative protecting group for a primary amino group is, for example, a phthaloyl group which may be removed by treatment with an alkylamine, for example dimethylaminopropylamine, or with hydrazine.

A suitable protecting group for a hydroxy group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an aroyl group, for example benzoyl, or an arylmethyl group, for example benzyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups will necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or an aroyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an arylmethyl group such as a benzyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

A suitable protecting group for a carboxy group is, for example, an esterifying group, for example a methyl or an ethyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a base such as sodium hydroxide, or for example a 1-butyl group which may be removed, for example, by treatment with an acid, for example an organic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid, or for example a benzyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

The protecting groups may be removed at any convenient stage in the synthesis using conventional techniques well known in the chemical art.

As stated hereinbefore the compounds defined in the present invention possess IBAT inhibitory activity. These properties may be assessed, for example, using an in vitro test assay for studying the effect on bile acid uptake in IBAT-transfected cells (Smith L., Price-Jones M. J., Hugnes K. T. and Jones N. R. A.; J Biomolecular Screening, 3, 227-230) or in vivo by studying the effect on radiolabelled bile acid absorption in mice/rats (Lewis M. C., Brieaddy L. E. and Root C., J., J Lip Res 1995, 36, 1098-1105).

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.

The composition may be in a form suitable for oral administration, for example as a tablet or capsule, for parenteral injection (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion) as a sterile solution, suspension or emulsion, for topical administration as an ointment or cream or for rectal administration as a suppository.

In general the above compositions may be prepared in a conventional manner using conventional excipients.

The compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, will normally be administered to a warm-blooded animal at a unit dose within the range 5-5000 mg per square meter body area of the animal, i.e. approximately 0.1-100 mg/kg or 0.01-50 mg/kg, and this normally provides a therapeutically-effective dose. A unit dose form such as a tablet or capsule will usually contain, for example 1-250 mg of active ingredient. Preferably a daily dose in the range of 1-50 mg/kg is employed. In another aspect a daily dose in the rage of 0.02-20 mg/kg is employed. However the daily dose will necessarily be varied depending upon the host treated, the particular route of administration, and the severity of the illness being treated. Accordingly the optimum dosage may be determined by the practitioner who is treating any particular patient.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore for use in a method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

We have found that the compounds defined in the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, are effective IBAT inhibitors, and accordingly have value in the treatment of disease states associated with hyperlipidaemic conditions.

Thus according to this aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore for use as a medicament.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions and disorders such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertrigliceridemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia (high LDL), hyperprebetalipoproteinemia (high VLDL), hyperchylomicronemia, hypolipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia (low HDL) in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of different clinical conditions such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, hyper-thrombotic conditions, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, heart failure, coronary heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular diseases, inflammation of cardiovascular tissues such as heart, valves, vasculature, arteries and veins, aneurisms, stenosis, restenosis, vascular plaques, vascular fatty streaks, leukocytes, monocytes and/or macrophage infiltration, intimal thickening, medial thinning, infectious and surgical trauma and vascular thrombosis, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular diseases, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating dyslipidemic conditions and disorders such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertrigliceridemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia (high LDL), hyperprebetalipoproteinemia (high VLDL), hyperchylomicronemia, hypolipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia (low HDL) in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating different clinical conditions such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, hyper-thrombotic conditions, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, heart failure, coronary heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular diseases, inflammation of cardiovascular tissues such as heart, valves, vasculature, arteries and veins, aneurisms, stenosis, restenosis, vascular plaques, vascular fatty streaks, leukocyte, monocytes and/or macrophage infiltrate, intimital thickening, medial thinning, infectious and surgical trauma and vascular thrombosis, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular diseases, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

There is evidence that an IBAT inhibitor might potentially be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of gallstones. According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating and/or preventing gallstones in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

The size of the dose required for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment will necessarily be vaned depending on the host treated, the route of administration and the severity of the illness being treated. A unit dose in the range, for example, 0.02-50 mg/kg, preferably 0.1-100 mg/kg is envisaged.

The IBAT inhibitory activity defined hereinbefore may be applied as a sole therapy or may involve, in addition to a compound of the invention, one or more other substances and/or treatments. Such conjoint tent may be achieved by way of the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of the individual components of the treatment. According to this aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical product comprising a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as defined hereinbefore and an additional IBAT inhibitory substance as defined hereinbefore and an additional hypolipidaemic agent for the conjoint treatment of hyperlipidaemia.

In another aspect of the invention, the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, may be administered in association with an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof. Suitable HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof are statins well known in the art. Particular statins are fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, bervastatin, dalvastatin, mevastatin and (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulphonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid (rosuvastatin), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a plug thereof. A particular statin is atorvastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof. A more particular statin is atorvastatin calcium salt. A further particular statin is (E)-7-[4(4-fluorophenyl)6-isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulphonyl)amino]pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid (rosuvastatin), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof. A preferable particular statin is rosuvastatin calcium salt.

In an additional aspect of the invention, the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof may be administered in association with an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and/or a bile acid binder thereby avoiding a possible risk of excess of bile acids in colon caused by the inhibition of the ileal bile acid transport system. An excess of bile acids in the visceral contents may cause diarrhoea. Thus, the present invention also provides a treatment of a possible side effect such as diarrhoea in patients during therapy comprising the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

An HMG CoA-reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof will by its action decrease the endogenous cholesterol available for the bile acid synthesis and have an additive effect in combination with the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof on lipid lowering.

Suitable bile acid binders for such a combination therapy are resins, such as cholestyramine and cholestipol. One advantage is that the dose of bile acid binder might be kept lower than the therapeutic dose for treatment of cholesterolaemia in single treatment comprising solely a bile acid binder. By a low dose of bile acid binder any possible side effects caused by poor tolerance of the patient to the therapeutic dose could also be avoided.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with a bile acid binder.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with a bile acid binder.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of a bile acid binder.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with a bile acid binder.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof and a bile acid binder.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in a         first unit dosage form;     -   b) an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof; in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in a         first unit dosage form;     -   b) a bile acid binder; in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in a         first unit dosage form;     -   b) an, HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof; in a second unit dosage form;     -   c) a bile acid binder, in a third unit dosage form; and     -   d) container means for containing said first, second and third         dosage forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof,         together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier,         in a first unit dosage form;     -   b) an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof, in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to a Per aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof,         together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier,         in a first unit dosage form;     -   b) a bile acid binder, in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof,         together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier,         in a first unit dosage form;     -   b) an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof, in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) a bile acid binder; in a third unit dosage form; and     -   d) container means for containing said first, second and third         dosage forms.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, a bile acid binder, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of a bile acid binder, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of a bile acid binder, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

According to an additional further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration one or more of the following agents selected from:

-   -   a CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) inhibitor, for         example those referenced and described in WO 00/38725 page 7         line 22—page 10, line 17 which are incorporated herein by         reference;,     -   a cholesterol absorption antagonist for example azetidinones         such as SCH 58235 and those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,115         which are incorporated herein by reference;     -   a MTP (microsomal transfer protein) inhibitor for example those         described in Science, 282,751-54, 1998 which are incorporated         herein by reference;     -   a fabric acid derivative; for example clofibrate, gemfibrozil,         fenofibrate, ciprofibrate and bezafibrate;     -   a nicotinic acid derivative, for example, nicotinic acid         (niacin), acipimox and niceritrol;     -   a phytosterol compound for example stanols;     -   probucol;     -   an anti-obesity compound for example orlistat (EP 129,748) and         sibutramine (GB 2,184,122 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,629);     -   an antihypertensive compound for example an angiotensin         converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin II receptor         antagonist, an andrenergic blocker, an alpha andrenergic         blocker, a beta andrenergic blocker, a mixed alpha/beta         andrenergic blocker, an andrenergic stimulant, calcium channel         blocker, a diuretic or a vasodilator,     -   insulin;     -   sulphonylureas including glibenclamide, tolbutamide;     -   metformin; and/or     -   acarbose;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such         a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a         pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded         animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

Particular ACE inhibitors or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvate of such salts or a prodrugs thereof, including active metabolites, which can be used in combination with a compound of formula (I) include but are not limited to, the following compounds: alacepril, alatriopril, altiopril calcium, ancovenin, benazepril, benazepril hydrochloride, benazeprilat, benzoylcaptopril, captopril, captopril-cysteine, captopril-glutathione, ceranapril, ceranopril, ceronapril, cilazapril, cilazaprilat, delapril, delapril-acid, enalapril, enalaprilat, enapril, epicaptopril, foroxyniithine, fosfenopril, fosenopril, fosenopril sodium, fosinopril, fosinopril sodium, fosinoprilat, fosinoprilic acid, glycopril, hemorphin4, idrapril, imidapril, indolapril, indolaprilat, libenzapril, lisinopril, lyciumin A, lyciumin B, mixanpril, moexipril, moexiprilat, moveltipril, muracein A, muracein B, muracein C, pentopril, perindopril, perindoprilat, pivalopril, pivopril, quinapril, quinapril hydrochloride, quinaprilat, ramipril, ramiprilat, spirapri, spirapril hydrochloride, spiraprilat, spiropril, spiropril hydrochloride, temocapril, temocapril hydrochloride, teprotide, trandolapril, trandolaprilat, utibapril, zabicipril, zabiciprilat, zofenopril and zofenoprilat. Preferred ACE inhibitors for use in the present invention are ramipril, ramiprilat, lisinopril, enalapril and enalaprilat. More preferred ACE inhibitors for uses in the present invention are ramipril and ramiprilat.

Preferred angiotensin II antagonists, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvate of such salts or a prodrugs thereof for use in combination with a compound of formula (I) include, but are not limited to, compounds: candesartan, candesartan cilexetil, losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, tasosartan, telmisartan and eprosartan. Particularly preferred angiotensin II antagonists or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for use in the present invention are candesartan and candesartan cilexetil.

In another aspect of the invention, the compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, may be administered in association with a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof. Suitable PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonists, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof are well known in the art. These include the compounds described in WO 01/12187, WO 01/12612, WO 99162870, WO 99/62872, WO 99/62871, WO 98157941, WO 01/40170, J d Chem, 1996, 39, 665, Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 10 (5), 623-634 (in particular the compounds described in the patent applications listed on page 634) and J Med Chem, 2000, 43, 527 which are all incorporated herein by reference. Particularly a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist refers to WY-14643, clofibrate, fenofibrate, bezafibrate, GW 9578, troglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, eglitazone, proglitazone, BRL49634, KRP-297, JTT-501, SB 213068, GW 1929, GW 7845, GW. 0207, L-796449, L-165041 and GW 2433. Particularly a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist refers to (S)-2-ethoxy-3-[4-(2-{4-methanesulphonyloxyphenyl}ethoxy)phenyl]propanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Additional suitable PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonists are NN622/Ragaglitazar and BMS 298585.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in a         first unit dosage form;     -   b) a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof; in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   -   a) a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof,         together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier,         in a first unit dosage form;     -   b) a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically         acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug         thereof, in a second unit dosage form; and     -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage         forms.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warn-blooded animal, such as man.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

In addition to their use in therapeutic medicine, the compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, are also useful as pharmacological tools in the development and standardisation of in vitro and in vivo test systems for the evaluation of the effects of inhibitors of IBAT in laboratory animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, rats and mice, as part of the search for new therapeutic agents.

Many of the intermediates described herein are novel and are thus provided as a further feature of the invention.

In the above other pharmaceutical composition, process, method, use and medicament manufacture features, the alternative and particular embodiments of the compounds of the invention described herein also apply.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be illustrated in the following non limiting examples, in which standard techniques known to the skilled chemist and techniques analogous to those described in these examples may be used where appropriate, and in which, unless otherwise stated:

-   -   (i) evaporations were carried out by rotary evaporation in vacuo         and work up procedures were carried out after removal of         residual solids such as drying agents by filtration;     -   (ii) all reactions were carried out under an inert atmosphere at         ambient temperature, typically in the range 18-25° C., with         solvents of HPLC grade under anhydrous conditions, unless         otherwise stated;     -   (iii) column chromatography (by the flash procedure) was         performed on Silica gel 40-63 μm (Merck);     -   (iv) yields are given for illustration only and are not         necessarily the maximum attainable;     -   (v) the structures of the end products of the formula (I) were         generally confirmed by nuclear (generally proton) magnetic         resonance (NMR) and mass spectral techniques; magnetic resonance         chemical shift values were measured in deuterated CD₃₀OD (unless         otherwise stated) on the delta scale (ppm downfield from         tetramethylsilane); proton data is quoted unless otherwise         stated; spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury-300 MHz,         Varian Unity plus-400 MHz, Varian Unity plus-600 MHz or on         Varian Inova-500 MHz spectrometer, and peak multiplicities are         shown as follows: s, singlet; d, doublet; dd, double doublet; t,         triplet; tt, triple triplet; q, quartet; tq, triple quartet; m,         multiplet; br, broad; LCMS were recorded on a Waters ZMD, LC         column xTerra MS C₈(Waters), detection with a HP 1100         MS-detector diode array equipped; mass spectra (MS) (loop) were         recorded on VG Platform II (Fisons Instruments) with a HP-1100         MS-detector diode array equipped; unless otherwise stated the         mass ion quoted is (MH⁺);     -   (vi) unless further details are specified in the text,         analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was         performed on Prep LC 2000 (Waters), Kromasil C₈, 7 μm, (Akzo         Nobel); MeCN and de-ionised water 100 mM ammonium acetate as         mobile phases, with suitable composition;     -   (vii) intermediates were not generally fully characterised and         purity was assessed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), HPLC,         infra-red (IR), MS or NMR analysis;     -   (viii) where solutions were dried sodium sulphate was the drying         agent;     -   (ix) where an “ISOLUTE” column is referred to, this means a         column containing 2 g of silica, the silica being contained in a         6 ml disposable syringe and supported by a porous disc of 54 Å         pore size, obtained from International Sorbent Technology under         the name “ISOLUTE”; “ISOLUTE” is a registered trade mark;     -   (x) the following abbreviations may be used hereinbefore or         hereinafter:         -   DCM dichloromethane;         -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide;         -   TBTU o-Benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium             tetrafluoroborate;         -   EtOAc ethyl acetate;         -   MeCN acetonitrile;         -   TFA trifluoroacetic acid;         -   HATU o-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium             hexafluoro-phosphate; and         -   DIPEA di-isopropylethyiamine.

Example 1 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro1,2,5-benzothiadiazenine

A solution of 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 1; 0.055 g, 0.086 mmol), D-glucitol, 1-amino-1-deoxy-(0.017 g, 0.094 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.028 ml, 0.254 mmol) in DMF (4 ml) was stirred for 10 min, after which TBTU (0.033 g, 0.103 mmol) was added. After 18 h the solution was diluted with toluene and then concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC using a gradient of 40-60% MeCN in 0. 1M ammonium acetate buffer as eluent The title compound was obtained in 0.041 g (59%) as a white solid. NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 0.60-0.85 (6H, m), 0.85-1.65 (12H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.95-3.05 (1H, m), 3.20-3.70 (17H (7CH+H2O), m), 3.85 (2H, bs), 4.20-4.45 (4H, m), 4.60-4.80 (3H, m), 5.55 (1H, d), 6.60 (1H, s), 6.90-7.50 (12H, m), 8.30 -8.55 (2H, m); m/z 803.3429.

Example 2 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoylmethoxy2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 5; 45.5 mg, 0.070 mmol) was dissolved in 3 ml DMF. N-Methylmorpholine (16 μl, 14 mmol) and D-glucamine (16 mg, 0.084 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 20 min. TBTU (27 mg, 0.084 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight. To obtain complete transformation of the starting material, D-glucamine (13.5 mg, 0.079 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (8 μl, 0.070 mmol), catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium bromide and TBTU (3×5 mg in portions, 0.04 mmol) were added successively. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified using preparative HPLC on a C8 column (50×250 mm) with a gradient (20/80 to 50/50) of MeCN/0.1M ammonium acetate buffer as eluent. The product fraction was concentrated to remove the MeCN and then lyophilized to yield the title compound in 31 mg (53% yield). NMR (400 MHz): 0.8 (t, 6H), 1.0-1.2 (m, 6H), 1.25-1.4 (m, 2H), 1.4-1.5 (m, 2H), 1.55-1.7 (m, 2H), 2.1 (s, 3H), 3.15-3.25 (m, 2H), 3.45-3.7 (m, 5H), 3.73 (dd, 1H), 3.8-3.85 (m, 1H), 3.95 (brs, 2H), 4.6 (ABq, 2H), 5.3 (s, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 2H), 7.05 (t, 1H) 7.15-7.4 (m, 7H); m/z: 819.

Examples 3 and 4 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3.4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine enantiomer 1 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine enantiomer 2

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 1; 50 mg, 0.078 mmol) and 4-[(1R,2S)2-amino-1-hydroxypropyl]benzene-1,2-diol (17.9 mg, 0.098 mmol) were dissolved in DCM (1 ml), DMF (2 ml). N-Methylmorpholine (17.2 μl, 0.156 mmol) and TBTU (45 mg, 0.14 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred over night and then evaporated under reduced pressure. Proton NMR showed a mixture of two diastereomers due to epimerisation in the phenylglycinresidue. The two diastereomers was separated by preparative HPLC using an acetonitrile/ammonium acetate buffer gradient (5/95 to 100/0) as eluent. The diastereomer that eluted first gave 7 mg (11%) after lyophilisation. NMR (500 MHz): 0.81 (brt, 6H), 1.0-1.26 (m, 9H), 1.26-1.41 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.53 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.7 (m, 2H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 3.85-4.2 (m, 3H), 4.33 (d, 1H), 4.65 (ABq, 2H), 5.47 (s, 1H), 6.53 (dd, 1H), 6.57-6.63 (m, 2H), 6.73 (d, 1H), 7.07 (brt, 1H), 7.11-7.17 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.38 (m, 8H); m/z 803.9 (M−H)⁻. The diastereomer eluted second gave 15 mg (24%) after lyophilisation. NR (500 MHz): 0.81 (brt, 6H), 1.0-1.25 (m, 9H), 1.25-1.4 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.52 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.7 (m, 2H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 3.8-4.13 (m, 3H), 4.56-4.74 (m, 3H), 5.47 (s, 1H), 6.61 (brs, 1H), 6.67-6.73 (m, 2H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 7.07 (brt, 1H), 7.15-7.40 (m, 10H); m/z 803.9 (M−)⁻.

Example 5 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(N-{2(-S)—[N-(carbamoylmethyl) carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 1; 46 mg, 0.070 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (2 ml). (2S)-1-(aminoacetyl)-N-(carbamoylmethyl)pynolidine-2-carboxamide (25 mg, 0.094 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (16 μl, 0.145 mmol) were added. The solution became cloudy and DMF (1 ml) was added. TBTU (21 mg, 0.084 mmol) was added in two portions over 10 minutes and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours. Formic acid (2 drops) was added after 2 hours. The mixture was purified using preparative HPLC on a C8 column (50×250 mm). A step gradient from 20-60% MeCN in 0.1M ammonium acetate buffer was used as eluent. The product fraction was concentrated and lyophilised to yield 22 mg (37%). NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): 0.79 (t, 6H), 0.98-1.24 (m, 6H), 1.24-1.4 (m, 2H), 1.46 (brt, 2H), 1.55-1.7 (m, 2H),1.85-2.12 (m, 6H), 2.12-2.24 (m, 1H), 3.4-3.66(m, 2H), 3.7-4.15 (m, 6H), 4.31-4.37 (m, 1H), 4.63 (ABq, 2H), 5.61 (s, 1H), 6.58 (s, 1H), 7.04 (t, 1H), 7.20 (brd, 2H), 7.24-7.38 (m, 6H), 7.46 (brd, 2H).

Example 6 1,1-Dioxo-3.3-dibutyl-5phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-{N-[2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 1; 60 mg, 0.094 mmol), 5-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2,3-triol (25 mg,0.12 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (21 μl, 0.188 mmol) were dissolved in DMF (2 ml). TBTU (38 mg, 0.12 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes. The product was purified by preparative HPLC using a MeCN/ammonium acetate buffer gradient (5/95 to 100/0) as eluent to give the title compound 37 mg (50%). NMR (400 Mz, CD₃OD): 0.79 (t, 6H), 0.95-1.24 (m, 6H), 1.24-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.45 (brt, 2H), 1.54-1.69 (m, 2H),2.09 (s, 3H), 2.53 (t, 2H), 3.35 (t, 2H), 3.75-4.12 (m, 2H), 4.64 (ABq, 2H), 5.44 (s, 1H),6.16 (s, 2H), 6.58 (s, 1H), 7.04 (brt; 1H), 7.11-7.45 (m, 10H).

Example 7 1,1-Dioxo3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-α-]N-(2-(R)-3-(S)-4-(S)-5-(R)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxytetrahydropyran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 1; 56 mg, 0.088 mmol), 3-(R)-4-(S)-5-(S)-6-(R)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-6-(aminomethyl) tetrahydropyran (25.4 mg,0.12 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (19 μl,0.175 mmol) were dissolved in DMF (2 ml) and water (10 drops). TBTU (34 mg, 0.105 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. More TBTU (22 mg) and 3-(R)-4-(S)-5-(S)-6-(R)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-6-(aminomethyl)tetrahydropyran (5 mg) were added and stirred for a short period. The product was purified by preparative HPLC using a MeCN/ammonium acetate buffer gradient (5/95 to 100/0) as eluent to give the title compound 39 mg (56%). Mlz 799.55 (M−H)⁻.

Preparation of Starting Materials

The starting materials for the Examples above are either commercially available or are readily prepared by standard methods from known materials. For example, the following reactions are an illustration, but not a limitation, of some of the starting materials used in the above reactions.

Method 1

1,1-Dioxo-3,3dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-]N—((R)-α-carboxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—[(R)-α-(t-butoxycarbonyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 2; 762 mg, 1.09 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of TFA (6.65 ml) and triethylsilane (0.350 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour and then evaporated under reduced pressure to give the title compound in a quantitative yield (714 mg). NMR (500 MHz): 0.8 (brt, 6H), 0.96-1.25 (m, 6H), 1.25-1.4 (m, 2M), 1.42-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.57-1.69 (m, 2H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 3.8-4.15 (m, 2H), 4.66 (ABq, 2H), 5.49-5.53 (m, 1H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 7.06 (t, 1H), 7.18-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.45 (m, 8H), 8.35 (d, NH); m/z 640.2.

Method 2

1.1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N—](R)-α-(t-butoxycarbonyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-carboxymethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 3; 627 mg, 1.24 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (25 ml), tert-butyl (2R)-amino(phenyl)acetate (308 mg, 1.48 mmol, 2,6-dimethylpyridine (288 μl, 2.47 mmol) and TBTU (477 mg, 1.48 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred for 3.5 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure. The product was purified using an Isolute column(10 g, silica). The product was eluted with a stepwise gradient using DCM:EtOAc 100:0 then 95:5. Approximately 694 mg pure compound was collected An additional fraction was purified a second time using an Isolute column (10 g, silica). The product was eluted with a stepwise gradient using DCM:EtOAc 100:0,95:5 then 90:10. The pure fraction was added to the first fraction yielding 787 mg (91%)of the title compound. NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 0.78 (t, 6H), 0.92-1.12 (m, 4H), 1.12-1.46 (m, 6H), 1.54 (s, 9H), 1.58-1.72 (m, 2H:), 2.14 (s, 3H), 3.8-4.05 (m, 2H), 4.32 (brs, NH), 4.56 (ABq, 2H), 5.56 (d, 1H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 7.04 (t, 1H), 7.10 (brd, 2H) 7.24-7.42 (m, 8H), 7.84 (d, NH); m/z 694.7 (M−H)⁻.

Method 3

1.1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-carboxymethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

To a solution of 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-ethoxycarbonyl-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 4; 0.024 g, 4.49*10⁻⁵ mol) in EtOH (3 ml) was added NaOH (0.007 g, 1.80*10⁻⁴ mol) and the mixture was stirred over night The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by preparative HPLC using an MeCN/ammonium acetate buffer as eluent and freeze-dried The title compound was obtained in 0.021 g (92%) as a white solid. NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) 0.70-0.85 (m, 6H), 1.00-1.70 (m, 12H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 3.90 (brs, 2H), 4.55 (s, 2H), 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.90-7.35 (m, 6H).

Method 4

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-ethoxycarbonylmethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

To a suspension of 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-bromo-8-methoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (prepared according to WO 98/38182; 0.218 g, 5.65*10⁻⁴ mol) in DMF (5 ml) was added NaSMe (0.210 g, 2.83 mmol, 95%), and the mixture was stirred for 5 hours at 120° C. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between EtOAc and 0.5 M HCl. The aqueous layer was extracted twice more with EtOAc and the combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated The residue was dissolved in MeCN (7 ml) and ethyl bromoacetate (0.063 ml, 5.65*10⁻⁴ mol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.018 g, 5.65*10⁻⁵ mol) and sodium carbonate (0.250 g, 2.36 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred over night at 80° C. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between EtOAc and 0.5 M HCl. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated Flash chromatography on silica gel (Hex:EtOAc-6:1) gave the title compound as a colourless oil 0.024 g (8%). NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 0.70-0.85 (m, 6H), 0.90-1.70 (m, 15H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 3.90 (bs, 2H), 4,20 (bs, 1H), 4.25 (q, 2H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.95-7.35 (m, 6H).

Method 5

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-]N—((R)-α-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzyl) carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine

1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-carboxymethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine (Method 3; 295 mg, 0.58 mmol) was dissolved in 10 ml DCM. 4-(1-(R)-t-Butoxycarbonyl-1-aminomethyl)phenol (Method 6; 160 mg, 0.72 mmol), 2,6-lutidine (140 μl, 1.20 mmol) and TBTU (230 mg, 0.72 mmol) were added successively. The mixture was stirred for 3 h. Additional 4-(1-(R)-t-butoxycarbonyl-1-aminomethyl)phenol (Method 6; 10 mg, 0.04 mmol) was added and stirring was continued for 2 h. DCM (20 ml) was added and the solution was washed with 5% NaHCO₃ (20 ml), 0.3M KHSO₄ (20 ml), brine (20 ml) before it was dried and concentrated to a volume of 10 ml. The tert-butyl ester of the title compound was confirmed; m/z: 729 (M+18(NH₄ ⁺)). TFA (1.3 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 4.5 h and concentrated. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC using a C8 column (5×500 mm) and a gradient (40/60 to 70/30 over 40 min) of MeCN/0.1M ammonium acetate buffer as eluent. Lyophilization yielded the title compound in 77.5% (302 mg). NMR (400 MHz): 0.8 (t, 6H), 1.0-1.2 (m, 6H), 1.25-1.4 (m, 2H) 1.4-1;5 (m, 2H), 1.55-1.7 (m, 2H), 2.1 (s, 3H), 3.95 (brs, 2H), 4.6 (ABq, 2H), 5.3 (s, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 2H), 7.05 (t, 1H) 7.15-7.4 (m, 7H); m/z: 673 (M+18 (NH₄ ⁺)).

Method 6

4-(1-(R)-t-Butoxycarbonyl-1-aminomethyl)phenol

Sulfuric acid (1 ml conc.) was added to a solution of D-(R)-4-hydroxyphenylglycine (1.0 g, 6.0 mmol) in 1,4dioxane (8 ml) placed in a Teflon® flask The flask was cooled to −78° C. and isobutylene (8 g, 142.6 mmol, condensed at −78° C.) was added. The flask was placed in an autoclave at room temperature and stirred for 15 h. The autoclave was cooled on ice before opened. The excess isobutylene was allowed to evaporate and the remaining solution was poured into aqueous NaOH (2M, 20 ml) and was extracted with diethyl ether to remove formed by-product. The aqueous phase was slightly acidified to attain pH=10 using 2M HCl and was extracted with diethyl ether (3×75 ml). The organic phase was washed with brine, dried and concentrated. The obtained product was recrystallized in diethyl etherhexane. Mass: 0.55 g (41%). NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃): 1.45 (s, 9H), 4.45 (s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 2H), 7.25 (d, 2H); m/z: 224. 

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: R^(v) is selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; One of R¹ and R² are selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and the other is selected from C₁₋₆alkyl; R^(x) and R^(y) are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, mercapto, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2; R^(z) is selected from halo, nitr, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino, N—(C1-6alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C₁₋₆-alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; v is 0-5; one of R⁴ and R⁵ is a group of formula (IA):

R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carboxy, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂amino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₆alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)sulphamoyl and N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂sulphamoyl; wherein R³ and R⁶ and the other of R⁴ and R⁵ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷; X is —O—, —N(R^(a))—, —S(O)_(b)— or —CH(R^(a))—; wherein R^(a) is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl and b is 0-2; Ring A is aryl or heteroaryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸; R⁷ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R⁷ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R²⁰; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R⁹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; R¹⁰ is hydrogen, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₋₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀₁alkyl)₂amino, N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₃ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl. N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²¹—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-; wherein R¹⁰ is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²³; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R²⁴; or R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB):

wherein: R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; wherein R¹² and R¹³ may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²⁵; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R²⁶; R¹⁴ is selected from hydrogen, halo, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclyl₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R²⁷—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R²⁸—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²⁹; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁰; or R¹⁴ is a group of formula (IC):

R¹⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; wherein R¹⁶ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more groups selected from R³¹; or R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein said heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁸; n is 1-3; wherein the values of R⁷ may be the same or different; R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵, R²⁹, R³¹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀alkynyl, C₁₋₁₀alkoxy, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkanoyloxy, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)amino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂amino, N,N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₃ammonio, C₁₋₁₀alkanoylamino, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkylcarbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂carbamoyl, C₁₋₁₀alkylS(O)_(a) wherein a is 0 to 2, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)sulphamoylamino, N,N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)₂sulphamoylamino, C₁₋₁₀alkoxycarbonylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl, carbocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(p)-R³²—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(q)- or heterocyclyl-(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(r)-R³³—(C₁₋₁₀alkylene)_(s)-; wherein R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²³, R²⁵, R²⁹, R³¹ and R³⁷ may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁴; and wherein if said heterocyclyl contains an —NH— group, that nitrogen may be optionally substituted by a group selected from R³⁵; R²¹, R²², R²⁷, R²⁸, R³² or R³³ are independently selected from —O—, —NR³⁶—, —S(O)_(x)—, —NR³⁶C(O)NR³⁶—, —NR³⁶C(S)NR³⁶—, —OC(O)N═C—, —NR³⁶C(O)— or —C(O)NR³⁶—; wherein R³⁶ is selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆allyl, and x is 0-2; p, q, r and s are independently selected from 0-2; R³⁴ is selected from halo, hydroxy, cyano, carbamoyl, ureido, amino, nitro, carbamoyl, mercapto, sulphamoyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, vinyl, allyl, ethynyl, formyl, acetyl, formamido, acetylamino, acetoxy, methylamino, dimethylamino, N-methylcarbamoyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl, methylthio, methylsulphinyl, mesyl, N-methylsulphamoyl, N,N-dimethylsulphamoyl, N-methylsulphamoylamino and N,N-dimethylsulphamoylamino; R²⁰, R²⁴, R²⁶, R³⁰, R³⁵ and R³⁸ are independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyl, C₁₋₆alkylsulphonyl, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, N,N—(C₁₋₆alkyl)carbamoyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, benzoyl and phenylsulphonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 2. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 wherein R^(v) is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 3. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein R¹ and R² are both butyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 4. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 5. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 wherein v is 0 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 6. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 wherein R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 7. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 wherein R⁴ is methylthio or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 8. A compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 wherein R⁵ is a group of formula (IA) (as depicted in claim 1) wherein: X is —O—; Ring A is aryl; wherein Ring A is optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R¹⁸; R⁷ is hydrogen; R⁸ is hydrogen; R⁹ is hydrogen; R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB) (as depicted above): R¹¹ is hydrogen; R¹² and R¹³ are independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀alkyl; R¹⁴ is selected from C₁₋₁₀alkyl carbocyclylC₁₋₁₀alkyl and heterocyclyl; wherein R¹⁴ may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more substituents selected from R²⁹; or R¹⁴ is a group of formula (IC) (as depicted above); R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclyl; wherein said heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁷; n is 1; R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R³⁷ are independently selected from hydroxy and N—(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)carbamoyl; wherein R¹⁸, R²⁹ and R₃₇ may be independently optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R³⁴; and R³⁴ is carbamoyl.
 9. A compound of formula (I) (as depicted in claim 1) wherein: R^(v) is selected from hydrogen; R¹ and R²are both butyl; R^(x) and R^(y) are both hydrogen; v is 0; R³ and R⁶ are both hydrogen; R⁴ is methylthio; and R⁵ is selected from: N—{(R)-α-[N-2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy; N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy; N—((R/S)-α-[N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy; N—-[(R)-α-(N-{2-(S)—[N-(carbamoylmethyl)carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy; N—((R)-α-{N-[2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl]benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy, and N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(R)-3-(S)-4-(S)-5-(R)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxytetrahydropyran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 10. A compound of formula (I) selected from: 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N—{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N-((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N-{2-(S)—[N-(carbamoylmethyl) carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonylmethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N—((R)-α-{N-[2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]carbamoyl}benzyl)carbamoylmethoxyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; and 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(R)-3-(S)-4(S)-5-(R)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxytetrahydropyran-2-ylmethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 11. A process for preparing a compound of formula (I) as claimed in claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof which process comprises of: Process 1): for compounds of formula (I) wherein X is —O—,—NR^(a) or —S—; reacting a compound of formula (IIa) or (IIb):

with a compound of formula (III):

wherein L is a displaceable group; Process 2): reacting an acid of formula (IVa) or (IVb):

or an activated derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (V):

Process 3): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹⁰ is a group of formula (IB); reacting a compound of formula (VIa):

or (VIb):

with an amine of formula (VII):

Process 4) for compounds of formula (I) wherein one of R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷; reacting a compound of formula (VIIIa) or (VIIIb):

wherein L is a displaceable group; with a thiol of formula (IX): R^(m)—H   (IX) wherein R^(m) is C₁₋₆alkylthio optionally substituted on carbon by one or more R¹⁷; or Process 5): for compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹⁴ is a group of formula (IC); reacting a compound of formula (Xa):

or (Xb):

with an amine of formula (XI):

and thereafter if necessary or desirable: i) converting a compound of the formula (I) into another compound of the formula (I); and/or ii) removing any protecting groups; and/or iii) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug.
 12. A compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 for use as a medicament.
 13. A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 for use in a method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a warm-blooded animal, such as man.
 14. The use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.
 15. The use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in the production of an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.
 16. A method for producing an IBAT inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
 10. 17. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 19. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a bile acid binder, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, and an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and a bile acid binder in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 21. A composition according to claim 18 or claim 20 wherein the HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor is atorvastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 22. A composition according to claim 18 or claim 20 wherein the HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor is rosuvastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 23. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 and a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 24. A composition according to claim 23 wherein the PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist is (S)-2ethoxy-3-[4-(2-{4-methanesulphonyloxyphenyl}ethoxy)phenyl]propanoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 